Board of Directors 2026–2027

Board of Directors | Board Meeting Calendar | WRPA Structure | Learn More

Chris Powell

President

Chris Powell

King County Parks

206-477-4483

Lisa Ellson

President-Elect

Lisa Ellson

Parks Tacoma

253-404-3903

Keisha Taylor

Vice President

Keisha Taylor

Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation

(253) 285-7012

Carmen Murrell

Director-At-Large

Carmen Murrell

City of Shoreline

(206) 801-2602

Jeff Ozimek

Director-At-Large

Jeff Ozimek

City of Poulsbo Parks & Recreation

Lisa Nielsen

King County Region Director

Lisa Nielsen

Seattle Parks & Recreation

Stacey Allington

Southwest Region Director

Stacey Allington

Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

This position serves the following counties Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum

Craig Lamas-Cole

Northwest Region Director

Craig Lamas-Cole

City of Oak Harbor

(360) 279-4754

This position serves the following counties: Islands, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom

Julie Piper

Eastern Region Director

Julie Piper

City of Richland

This position serves the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima

Jennifer Burbidge

Past-President

Jennifer Burbidge

Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation

(360) 438-2633

Tiffany Hanzo Martin

Executive Director - Ex Officio

Tiffany Hanzo Martin

Washington Recreation & Park Association

 

 

Board Meeting Calendar

WRPA Members are welcome to attend board meetings. There will be no public/member comments as board agendas are set ahead of time. If you would like to add an item to the agenda, email a request to the President one week prior to the board meeting. Please understand that at any time, the WRPA Board of Directors can go into Executive Session and exclude non-board Members from this part of the meeting. Please email the WRPA Office if you are interested in attending a meeting.

General Board Meeting Schedule:

  • June
  • September
  • November (In Conjunction with Fall Event)
  • January
  • March
  • April/May (In Conjunction with the Conference)

 


WRPA Structure


Learn More About Each Board Position

View WRPA Bylaws

Expectations of All Board of Directors Members

  • Go through the initial Board Orientation to understand the Governance and Legal Duty of being on the Board
  • Attend a minimum of 6 of the 9 Board Meetings Scheduled. Contribute ideas and participate in decision-making for the greater good of the association

  • January, February, March, April, May (In-Person at Conference), June, September, October, and November (In-Person at Fall Training)
  • Participate in the board's strategic initiatives
  • Serve as a Board Liaison and participate in assigned Committees / Networks
  • Represent the full spectrum of the interests of the membership

President *

  • Chair of the Governing Board; presides at all meetings
  • Presides over the Annual Business Meeting, which provides an account of the state of the Association to the Membership
  • Works in partnership with the Executive Director on all association affairs
  • Provides written statements or videos for marketing efforts for WRPA events and services
  • Provides remarks at WRPA events
  • Serves and coordinates with the Executive Committee and the Executive Director to establish Board Meeting Agendas

*Each nomination term, the President position will be open. If elected, you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President)

President-Elect *

  • Assumes the duties of the President in the President’s absence
  • Serves as the President if the elected President is unable to complete the full term of office
  • Assumes other duties as assigned by the President
  • Serves on the Executive Committee

*Each nomination term, the President-Elect position will be open. If elected, you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Vice President *

  • Assists the President as needed
*Each nomination term, the Vice President position will be open. If elected, you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Past President *

  • Assists the President as needed
  • Chairs the Nominations Committee
  • Chairs the Awards Committee
*Each nomination term, the Past President position will be open. If elected, you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Regional Directors

King County Region Director, Southwest Region Director, Northwest Region Director, Eastern Region Director

  • Represent the interests and support membership efforts within your region
  • Support education and networking opportunities within your region
  • Host and coordinate at least one gathering event within your region to network and share about WRPA
  • Liaison for departments within the region (and beyond to other areas of the state) sharing upcoming meetings, grants, collaborative opportunities, solutions
  • Liaison with local colleges in tandem with the PREP Committee to promote the profession and encourage participation in WRPA events and services
  • Serve on the Membership Committee
  • Serves a three-year term

At-Large Directors

  • Serves a three-year term

Secretary

  • An appointed position generally assigned to an At-Large or Regional Director
  • Prepares and distributes the minutes of all Board Meetings
  • Serves a three-year term

Treasurer

    • An appointed position generally assigned to an At-Large or Regional Director
    • Go through a treasurer orientation when elected
    • Final approval of payments for the Association
    • Understanding of the monthly association financials
    • Serve on the Finance Committee
    • Serves a three-year term

Additional Resources:

 

Washington Recreation & Park Association 

Facilitate connections, advocate for professionals and their agencies, and provide robust learning and skill advancement opportunities to equitably support recreation, culture, and park professionals.

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